Companioning the Bereaved

Companioning the Bereaved

Renowned author and educator Alan Wolfelt redefines the role of the grief counsellor in this guide for caregivers. His new model for 'companioning' the bereaved gives a viable alternative to the limitations of the medical establishment, encouraging counsellors and other caregivers to aspire to a more compassionate philosophy. This approach argues that grief need no longer be defined, diagnosed, and treated as an illness but rather should be an acknowledgement of an event that forever changes a person's worldview. Through careful listening and observation, the caregiver learns to support mourners and help them help themselves heal.

Author description

Alan D Wolfelt PhD, serves as director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition. He writes the 'Children and Grief' column for Bereavement Magazine and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Today. He is the author of Healing Your Grieving Heart, Healing a Teen's Grieving Heart, and Understanding Your Grief. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.